Williams Prayer Chapel

The vision of IWU professors Wilbur and Ardelia Williams, the university’s Prayer Chapel is a place for students to experience sanctity and solitude with the Lord Jesus Christ. A blending of both Williamses areas of study (religion and art, respectively), it blends design with biblical allusions in order to remind visitors of God’s transcendence and eminence.

Architectural Elements

Architecture in temples and churches has long been used to reflect spiritual symbolism, and the Williamses intentionally chose 12th century Gothic architecture for the Prayer Chapel. In 12th century France, the Gothic structure developed when roofs of churches were pushed up to a point—signifying a call for worshippers to lift their hearts toward God. It was the Williamses’ desire that the Chapel should incorporate these elements, but vastly reduced in size so as to encourage private, personal prayer for all who enter.

Sculptures

The Intercessor is a life-sized bronze sculpture by commissioned Israeli Christian sculptor Rich Weinecke. Designed to create an interior atmosphere that encourages prayer, the sculpture depicts Jesus agonizing in prayer in Gethsemane. It is rich in symbolism: a full cup in Jesus’ hand represents His suffering for people. His three fingers on the cup represent the three temptations of Jesus and the three times Jesus returned to his disciples in Gethsemane, asking, “Could you not watch with me for one hour?”

Two other sculptures—an iron pillar of cloud and a bronze pillar of fire—are placed to the right and left of The Intercessor. Recessed into stone at the Chapel’s front, they serve as symbols of God’s sovereign and redemptive plan for His chosen people. Referencing the Old Testament account of the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt, the two pillars serve as reminders that God is the One who leads people with perfect guidance.

Unique Gifts

Encased near the entrance of the Prayer Chapel is an original Wittenberg Bible donated by Dr. Marj Elder, IWU professor of English and a longtime friend of the Williamses.

An Eternal Flame lamp over the statue of The Intercessor was provided by Dr. and Mrs. Bud Bence, IWU professors of religion and nursing.

Stained Glass

Individually designed and handcrafted by Ardelia Williams, the eleven stained glass windows of the Prayer Chapel are intended to focus observers on Jesus’ atoning life, death, and resurrection. Two stars depict the traditional five-point star and the six-point Star of David, and a large “Rose of Sharon” displays the head of Christ in the middle of a rose. In addition, six different styles of crosses represent the many different designs the Christian cross takes around the world. With a brilliant splash of red flowing from each cross, the six windows are a testament to the blood that cleanses sinners from all unrighteousness.

Construction of the Williams Prayer Chapel took three years to complete, from 1999 to 2001. The Chapel was dedicated in the fall of 2001, and since then, its doors have always been open. Guests are welcome and encouraged to record their prayers in the prayer journal near the entrance of the Chapel.

GETTING THERE:

4021 South Washington Street
Williams Prayer Chapel is located toward the northeast corner of campus. It is south of Burns Hall, southeast of Noggle Christian Ministries Center, and northwest of Jackson Library.

From the intersection of South Washington and East 38th Streets, travel south one block on South Washington and turn into the large parking lot on the right (east). This is the Burns Hall parking lot; Williams Chapel is due south and visible between Burns Hall and Noggle CMC.

Parking:

There is no parking adjacent to Williams Prayer Chapel, but it is within easy walking distance of the parking lot just north of Burns Hall. This lot is accessible from South Washington Street, between East 39th and 40th Streets.